What phone now?

**riser4** · 05-23-2017, 11:16 AM

Mine was direct from Fi.

**riser4** · 05-23-2017, 01:17 PM

Plus I have the device protection plan. Ya, I know. What can I say? Sucker born every minute. There was alcohol involved in the original purchase. And sober me didn't want to jinx the phone by canceling it.

**El Chupacabra** · 05-26-2017, 03:54 PM

Anyone here using (or used in the past) Total Wireless pre-paid? Uses Verizon's network, prices look attractive.
https://www.totalwireless.com/wps/portal/home

Wondering if there's a catch, such as if the 4G speed is considerably slower than Verizon's post-paid 4G.

I'm still using Google Fi and like it, but Mrs. C. is on Verizon post-paid, and Total Wireless would save quite a bit.

**Benny Profane** · 07-03-2017, 10:14 AM

Which Android phone has the best camera these days?

**muted** · 07-03-2017, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Which Android phone has the best camera these days?

To make those dumpster pics really shine?

I'm thinking of quitting Verizon to get one of these: http://www.businessinsider.com/onepl...ed-test-2017-6

It supposedly takes great photos.

**huckbucket** · 07-03-2017, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Which Android phone has the best camera these days?

Pixel

**Danno** · 08-07-2017, 04:30 PM

Fi is running a sale for the next month. Think I might take the plunge and order a Pixel. The only thing that is a bummer is it will cost me more per month than the current Sprint unlimited plan I have, but that's mostly due to the cost of the phone, and I'd have to pay for a new phone from Sprint anyway. And if the phone is decent, once I pay it off in 2 years, the bill gets cheaper.

**huckbucket** · 08-07-2017, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

Fi is running a sale for the next month. Think I might take the plunge and order a Pixel. The only thing that is a bummer is it will cost me more per month than the current Sprint unlimited plan I have, but that's mostly due to the cost of the phone, and I'd have to pay for a new phone from Sprint anyway. And if the phone is decent, once I pay it off in 2 years, the bill gets cheaper.

I'm 9 months into my pixel and nothing slows it down. Battery is great. Photos are great.

**RShea** · 08-07-2017, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Anyone here using (or used in the past) Total Wireless pre-paid? Uses Verizon's network, prices look attractive.
https://www.totalwireless.com/wps/portal/home

Wondering if there's a catch, such as if the 4G speed is considerably slower than Verizon's post-paid 4G.

I'm still using Google Fi and like it, but Mrs. C. is on Verizon post-paid, and Total Wireless would save quite a bit.

When you posted this about Total Wireless- it was throttled data speed of 5 mbps like most every other Prepaid MVNO out there on Verizon. It was all Verizon allowed for every prepaid out there. It also is only through Walmart or direct from the Web site (company that owns it and runs it is American Movil, which is owned by one of the richest persons in the world Carlos Slim from Mexico. They also run Tracfone, Net10, StraightTalk, and a number of other companies that they have either started or purchased. Customer Service representatives are mostly all overseas staffing across all the companies (even ones he purchased that used to use US call centers are not on off shore call centers. However some reports have come out in discussions on Howard Forums that the data speeds have been improved and maybe they got Verizon to shut off the throttled 4G and provide the same speed that Verizon native contract customers receive... I don't know if it will last and if everyone is noticing the speed boost, but that is the latest discussion over on the US Prepaid discussion forums.

**RShea** · 08-07-2017, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Which Android phone has the best camera these days?

Motorola Z with the Hasselblad True Zoom camera option added to it.

**Groomer Gambler** · 08-11-2017, 08:08 AM

Samsung Galaxy 5 just started giving me the message: "For faster charging, use the original charger provided with your phone." Phone is ~3 years old and randomly started doing this. It charges but very slowly (ie to 30% overnight) and will use the battery faster than it charges if left on. Any tips? Due for an upgrade but I've been wanting to hold out as long as possible.

EDIT and I still use the original charger

**El Chupacabra** · 08-11-2017, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by RShea

When you posted this about Total Wireless- it was throttled data speed of 5 mbps like most every other Prepaid MVNO out there on Verizon. It was all Verizon allowed for every prepaid out there. It also is only through Walmart or direct from the Web site (company that owns it and runs it is American Movil, which is owned by one of the richest persons in the world Carlos Slim from Mexico. They also run Tracfone, Net10, StraightTalk, and a number of other companies that they have either started or purchased. Customer Service representatives are mostly all overseas staffing across all the companies (even ones he purchased that used to use US call centers are not on off shore call centers. However some reports have come out in discussions on Howard Forums that the data speeds have been improved and maybe they got Verizon to shut off the throttled 4G and provide the same speed that Verizon native contract customers receive... I don't know if it will last and if everyone is noticing the speed boost, but that is the latest discussion over on the US Prepaid discussion forums.

Mrs C is using Total Wireless now - we switched her over to the 5gb plan, which comes to about $33/ month, if you sign up for the automatic charge to your credit card each month (there's a discount). Seamless transition, voice quality is same as Verizon, coverage is same. Haven't noticed any data difference.

**Kenny Satch** · 08-11-2017, 09:22 AM

Just got a Crackberry Key One.
Battery life seems OK but is it still true about letting the battery drain 100% 1st time before charging a thing? I didn't do that.
BTW I think crackberry final made something worthy of the competition IMO

**Groomer Gambler** · 08-11-2017, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Groomer Gambler

Samsung Galaxy 5 just started giving me the message: "For faster charging, use the original charger provided with your phone." Phone is ~3 years old and randomly started doing this. It charges but very slowly (ie to 30% overnight) and will use the battery faster than it charges if left on. Any tips? Due for an upgrade but I've been wanting to hold out as long as possible.

EDIT and I still use the original charger

...And pretty sure it shit the bed! Known software issue with this phone where it won't recognize the charger anymore. Not much I can do to fix it. i.e. 'phone company makes phone die so now it's time to buy a new expensive, flashy phone.'

Went to the Verizon store and was comparing the galaxy s8 vs. Pixel vs. LG G6. Water resistance is a plus. Not a huge fan of the Android bloat but I have no interest in an iPhone. Any comments on the above models or alternatives?

**stfu&gbtw** · 08-11-2017, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Groomer Gambler

...And pretty sure it shit the bed! Known software issue with this phone where it won't recognize the charger anymore. Not much I can do to fix it. i.e. 'phone company makes phone die so now it's time to buy a new expensive, flashy phone.'

Went to the Verizon store and was comparing the galaxy s8 vs. Pixel vs. LG G6. Water resistance is a plus. Not a huge fan of the Android bloat but I have no interest in an iPhone. Any comments on the above models or alternatives?

I've been using the international version of the Sony XZ (not the XZa, XZs or XZ premium) for about 6 months now and it's been very good. A decent balance between the performance of a phablet and the portability of a <5". Nothing is super outstanding, but nothing is really disappointing either. And since Sony introduced nearly 30 phones, the XZ can be found for pretty cheap. Currently on Amazon for $450.

**Groomer Gambler** · 08-11-2017, 06:42 PM

^Looks soilid but I'm stuck to Verizon so no go on the Sony

**jono** · 08-11-2017, 11:03 PM

I care a lot about removable batteries/expandable memory, and found the LG V20 for around $400. I think it's a little bigger than I prefer for a phone, but coming from Samsung I like the reduced bloat. Although there is still some auto-loaded stuff, it's easily dumped, unlike the Samsung and Verizon stuff on my last phone. The cameras and video stabilization have been good, though photos uploaded to TGR get clipped way down from the original. The G6 seems like it would be a good phone--think I've seen it called a smaller V20 and that's probably a good thing.

**RShea** · 08-12-2017, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Mrs C is using Total Wireless now - we switched her over to the 5gb plan, which comes to about $33/ month, if you sign up for the automatic charge to your credit card each month (there's a discount). Seamless transition, voice quality is same as Verizon, coverage is same. Haven't noticed any data difference.

You state same coverage as Verizon- but there is no roaming agreements on Total Wireless, so not 100% true in every area of the country: https://www.totalwireless.com/wps/po...e/support/faqs

You may not notice much difference in your travels, but there would be times that the maps would be different and you would need a balance for the funds required to make a call while roaming (hence the wording that the call would be the cost of a local call (which is really misleading as to how much a local call costs.) I think it is 20 cents per minute but not 100% sure on Total Wireless- that is what 90% of the prepaid MVNO's are for roaming calls on Verizon network. Try contacting their customer service to verify the cost and how you have to apply a balance and report back.

**riser4** · 08-14-2017, 08:58 AM

Location Services is killing the battery on my Nexus 5x. Horrible. I used to keep location off most of the time, so that may be why I never noticed. I am traveling so I am noticing it. The phone has 7.1.2, July update. Hoping this is fixed in a future update. The USB-C plug fits loosely so charging it from a power bank sucks unless the phone is stationary.

**The Tortoise** · 08-14-2017, 09:21 AM

Damn. I had high hopes that USB-C would mean an end to the USB port failures. My MicroUSB port currently has the same issue and it's driving me fucking nuts.

**El Chupacabra** · 08-14-2017, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by RShea

You state same coverage as Verizon- but there is no roaming agreements on Total Wireless, so not 100% true in every area of the country: https://www.totalwireless.com/wps/po...e/support/faqs

You may not notice much difference in your travels, but there would be times that the maps would be different and you would need a balance for the funds required to make a call while roaming (hence the wording that the call would be the cost of a local call (which is really misleading as to how much a local call costs.) I think it is 20 cents per minute but not 100% sure on Total Wireless- that is what 90% of the prepaid MVNO's are for roaming calls on Verizon network. Try contacting their customer service to verify the cost and how you have to apply a balance and report back.

Good point. To be clearer, Mrs C hasn't reported any different coverage in using her phone under TW vs Verizon. Our local area of usage (Reno, Tahoe) is good for pretty much all carriers in Reno proper, but once in the mountains (Tahoe, Virginia City), Verizon network seems much stronger than the others.

I'm still using Google Fi, which has much less coverage due to the T-mobile and Sprint networks that it runs on. I may switch to Total Wireless too. If I didn't already have a Fi compatible phone, I would use TW without hesitation.

**Todds** · 08-14-2017, 09:47 AM

Have you heard anything about Xfinity mobile and Verizon? Free Verizon service with $12/GB or $45 for unlimited service for Xfinity customers.

**stalefish3169** · 08-23-2017, 02:51 PM

Just upgraded to Android Oreo 8.0.0 yesterday and holy fuck balls the battery savings are amazingly better! I'm at 85% still around 2pm, would probably be closer to 65% on previous 7.1.2.

Sent from my Pixel XL using TGR Forums mobile app

**riser4** · 08-23-2017, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by stalefish3169

Just upgraded to Android Oreo 8.0.0 yesterday and holy fuck balls the battery savings are amazingly better! I'm at 85% still around 2pm, would probably be closer to 65% on previous 7.1.2.

Sent from my Pixel XL using TGR Forums mobile app

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